The Calgary Stampeders hired the former Canada West quarterback as a defensive assistant Tuesday.

Mueller says he’ll be doing odds and ends as he gets his feet wet this coming CFL season with the Red & White.

“I look at it as a great opportunity to learn the defensive side of the game,” Mueller said. “I’ll be assisting (defensive co-ordinator Rich) Stubler with getting ready for practice and free up time for the other assistants to focus on bigger things.

“And I can help out with breaking down game-film.

“I can help out by looking at it from an offensive standpoint, but I’m there to learn from the three coaches on defence and free up time so they can work on game-planning while I do the smaller tasks.”

Mueller, the grandson of hall-of-fame quarterback and head coach Ron Lancaster, made a name for himself during a brilliant career with the University of Regina Rams.

Mueller left Regina with several school records including career pass-completion percentage (62.1%), single-season records in pass attempts (310 in 2009), pass completions (182 in ’10) and pass-completion percentage (67.8% in ’12) and single-game records in most attempted passes (55 in ’12 against Manitoba) and pass-completion percentage (78.4 in ’12 at Saskatchewan).

That he will make his CFL debut on the defensive side of the ball might seem a bit strange, but Mueller ­— just 24 and a native of Regina — says he’s eager to get started.

“I’m not really surprised about being with the defence, but if someone had asked me two or three weeks ago if I’d be accepting a job with the Calgary Stampeders, I would have been surprised,” Mueller said.

“The more you can do in this game, the better — and I’m happy to help out any way I can.”

Tuesday’s signing might be a way to get Mueller in the fold where he can step into an offensive role at a later date should Stamps GM/head coach John Hufnagel decide to hand over the head coaching reins to offensive co-ordinator/assistant coach Dave Dickenson and focus strictly on GM duties.

“Marc is a young, dynamic individual with a keen football mind, and I know he will be an excellent addition to our veteran group of coaches,” Hufnagel said. “With Marc, Rich and (offensive line coach) Pat (DelMonaco), as well as the six returning coaches, I believe this will be an excellent staff.”

Mueller says the opportunity to join the Stamps arrived unexpectedly.

“I got a phone call a couple of weeks back from coach Dickenson, just to talk with me and strike up a relationship,” Mueller said. “I chatted with him for 10 or 20 minutes, and then I got a call from coach Stubler.

“He told me what was going to go on and that they’d like me to come aboard. I went in and out (of McMahon Stadium) last week and was shown around the place.

“We put it all down with pen and paper, and now I’m a coach with the Calgary Stampeders. It all happened pretty quick, but it’s exciting for me and my family.”

Mueller began his coaching career last year at the University of Regina.

“I’ve always wanted to coach,” Mueller said. “My goal was to play as long as I could and then get right into coaching.

“I was offered the chance during my last season to stay on the staff instead of coaching high-school football. That doesn’t happen very often, so I was very thankful for that.

“I loved staying competitive, staying involved in the game and putting it all on the line in front of everybody for three hours every week.”

The Calgary Stampeders hired the former Canada West quarterback as a defensive assistant Tuesday.

Mueller says he’ll be doing odds and ends as he gets his feet wet this coming CFL season with the Red & White.

“I look at it as a great opportunity to learn the defensive side of the game,” Mueller said. “I’ll be assisting (defensive co-ordinator Rich) Stubler with getting ready for practice and free up time for the other assistants to focus on bigger things.

“And I can help out with breaking down game-film.

“I can help out by looking at it from an offensive standpoint, but I’m there to learn from the three coaches on defence and free up time so they can work on game-planning while I do the smaller tasks.”